TM 的流行病学取决于其潜在的原因。特发性完全性 TM 的年发病率不确定,但根据美国、欧洲和以色列的研究,保守估计每百万人出现 1 到 4 个病例,年龄呈现双峰分布,峰值在 10 到 19 岁和 30 到 39 岁。[9]Berman M, Feldman S, Alter M, et al. Acute transverse myelitis: incidence and etiologic considerations. Neurology. 1981;31:966-971.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7196523?tool=bestpractice.com[10]Jeffery DR, Mandler RN, Davis LE. Transverse myelitis. Retrospective analysis of 33 cases, with differentiation of cases associated with multiple sclerosis and parainfectious events. Arch Neurol. 1993;50:532-535.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8489410?tool=bestpractice.com[11]Christensen PB, Wermuth L, Hinge HH, et al. Clinical course and long-term prognosis of acute transverse myelopathy. Acta Neurol Scand. 1990;81:431-435.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2375246?tool=bestpractice.com[12]Altrocchi PH. Acute transverse myelopathy. Arch Neurol. 1963;9:111-119.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14048158?tool=bestpractice.com[13]Farkkila M, Tiainen T, Koskiniemi M. Epidemiology and prognosis of acute myelitis in Southern Finland. J Neurol Sci. 1997;152:140-146.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9415534?tool=bestpractice.com一项基于人群的研究估计年平均发病率为 0.82/100,000 人年,成人为 1.2/100,000 人年。[14]Beghi E, Kurland LT, Mulder DW. Incidence of acute transverse myelitis in Rochester, Minnesota, 1970-1980, and implications with respect to influenza vaccine. Neuroepidemiology. 1982;1:176-188.急性部分性 TM 通常预示或伴有多发性硬化 (MS),MS可影响多达 0.3% 北欧后裔。[15]Compston A, Coles A. Multiple sclerosis. Lancet. 2008;372:1501-1517.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18970977?tool=bestpractice.com长节段性TM发病模式通常和视神经脊髓炎谱系病相关,后者在所有中枢神经脱髓鞘疾病中,在北美和欧洲人口大约占 1%,在非洲裔和拉美裔美国人中比例较大,在日本人中高达 30%,在所有基本没有典型MS的民族或种族中,比如北美土著居民和非洲黑人,几乎占到全部。[8]Wingerchuk DM, Lennon VA, Lucchinetti CF, et al. The spectrum of neuromyelitis optica. Lancet Neurol. 2007;6:805-815.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17706564?tool=bestpractice.com[16]Kira J. Multiple sclerosis in the Japanese population. Lancet Neurol. 2003;2:117-127.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12849268?tool=bestpractice.com 任何年龄都可能发病。MS 相关病例通常发生在 20 到 50 岁间(中值约 29 岁),而视神经脊髓炎相关病例中值发病年龄约晚 10 年。[3]Wingerchuk DM, Hogancamp WF, O'Brien PC, et al. The clinical course of neuromyelitis optica (Devic's syndrome). Neurology. 1999;53:1107-1114.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10496275?tool=bestpractice.com[15]Compston A, Coles A. Multiple sclerosis. Lancet. 2008;372:1501-1517.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18970977?tool=bestpractice.com 所有亚型中女性居多。这些综合征也会影响儿童,虽然发病率未知。儿童 TM 的治疗方法和成人相同。[17]Chabas D, Strober G, Waubant E. Pediatric multiple sclerosis. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2008;8:434-441.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18713581?tool=bestpractice.com[18]Banwell B, Tenembaum S, Lennon VA, et al. Neuromyelitis optica-IgG in childhood inflammatory demyelinating CNS disorders. Neurology. 2008;70:344-352.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18094334?tool=bestpractice.com[19]McKeon A, Lennon VA, Lotze T, et al. CNS aquaporin-4 autoimmunity in children. Neurology. 2008;71:93-100.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18509092?tool=bestpractice.com 其他感染性和炎性脊髓炎的流行病学取决于潜在病因。